Research Manager - Real Choices, Real Lives at Plan International

Reporting to the Head of Research, this post is based at the Global Hub and the incumbent will work in a team of 6 researchers, 5 M&E specialists and 3 M&E system specialists and must work within a shared budget. The Research Manager is also expected to line manage and supervise the Real Choices Real Lives Research and Engagement Officer.

ACCOUNTABILITIES

The job is varied and requires an individual who can:

• Manage and provide overall direction to the study, including inputs from the Research Engagement Officer, as well as overseeing data collection and analysis activities, ensuring research activities and research outputs are of high quality and delivered on schedule/in line with ethical principles.
• Lead and coordinate the production of research products, including ‘flagship’ reports and other research outputs that take different formats (e.g., blogs, briefs, thematic pieces, case studies, presentations etc.), aligning these with global and regional activities/priorities.
• Support the integration of study findings in Plan Federation activities and decisions (across policy, advocacy, campaigns, and programming)
• Build the profile of the study at global, regional, and country-level, maintaining a presence within the wider research and evidence debates (particularly related to adolescence/gender), identifying opportunities to present, collaborate and share knowledge more widely
• Oversee stakeholder and strategy management internally and externally.
• Work with colleagues to profile the study on Plan platforms globally, regionally and in-country, including supporting engagement with Plan Country Offices to embed evidence in Plan country activities, through identifying opportunities and inputting to development of tailored/targeted outputs.
• Ensure that Plan International’s global policies for Child Protection (CPP) and Gender Equality and Inclusion (GEI) are fully embedded in any study outputs and activities. This includes, but is not limited to, ensuring staff and associates are aware of and understand their responsibilities under these policies and Plan International’s Code of Conduct (CoC), their relevance to their area of work, and that concerns are reported and managed in accordance with the appropriate procedures.

KEY DELIVERABLES

• Strategic direction-setting, profile raising and networking of the study with relevant/influential groups and organisations (internal and external).
• Drive the strategic direction of the cohort study, engaging with internal and external stakeholders.
• Develop/build mechanisms and relationships to ensure ambitious ideas are translated into actions in order to continue to increase visibility of the study whilst maintaining the highest possible quality and standards of research.
• Map opportunities for integration of research evidence across the Plan Federation, to feed into key ‘moments’ and events in terms of communications, policy/advocacy, and programming, at global and regional level, as well as with country teams.
• Liaise and network with key research institutes and universities.
• Identify opportunities for alignment and partnerships with the wider sector to support delivery of research objectives in terms of evidence uptake/integration.
• Identify, engage in, and contribute to relevant networks and events (related to gender, adolescence and research methods etc.).
• Ensure the design, implementation, and dissemination of high quality and rigorous research, including capacity development across the research teams.
• Plan and manage the schedule for research publications, ensuring integration with Plan International global/regional and country-level events/moments (e.g. inputs to State of the World’s Girls, Girls Get Equal and other activities).
• Guiding Research Officer in their supervision of coding and analysis of transcripts, providing guidance on software as well as technical insights into thematic discussions.
• Assimilate key issues emerging from data to feed into publications (including contributions to other reports, as well as standalone research outputs, aligning this to wider Plan/sector priorities).
• Develop summaries, briefs, papers and presentations to profile research findings, as well as methods, as required.
• Engage with academic advisory panel to ensure ‘rigour’ of approach to the research process and outputs.
• Provide supervision to a PhD student (from autumn 2024) on a monthly basis and alongside academic supervisors (as part of a collaborative PhD)

TECHNICAL EXPERTISE, SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

Essential

• Masters level or equivalent, preferably in research methods, development studies or a related subject.
• Strategic direction-setting for long-term/multi-year projects, ideally research;
• Developing and delivering research uptake plans, including identifying research uptake opportunities (communications, policy/advocacy, and programmatic), to support evidence dissemination/impact;
• Implementing technical expertise (particularly utilising excellent knowledge of girls’ rights, to develop/deliver high quality research outputs);
• Managing and inputting on qualitative research, with a technical focus on gender/gender dynamics, as well as social norms;
• Experienced in the use and application of qualitative data analysis software i.e., NVivo and reporting tools to develop standard and ad hoc reports.
• Delivering research and supporting research uptake across developing country contexts (including undertaking training and overseeing fieldwork);
• Knowledge of research operations, principles, practices and methods
• Strong influencing and stakeholder management skills.
• Must be adaptable and able to work independently on multiple tasks, prioritise workload effectively and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong analytical skills and robust problem-solving skills.
• Attention to detail; accurate and observant.
• Ability to work within a multi-cultural environment and find creative solutions for successful regional and national knowledge management initiatives to promote learning and information sharing across the organisation
• Good project management and budget management skills ideally in a multi country setting
• Ability to make connections and build relationships within Plan International and externally
• Fluent in English with strong verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills.

Desirable

• Spanish and/or French verbal and written communication skills is an advantage
• Experience working with longitudinal data.
• Understanding of social norms theory.